easyrider wrote:
Where do you get one w/o doctor prescription. My brother has one, my wife says I don't snore , but she is out like a light to really know. Worth a try if you guys recommend it . Always like wild dreams LOL
I've been a CPAP user (aka "hose head") for about 10 years or so now. I'm in New Zealand so can't really comment as to how things are done in other parts of the world, but for me it involved suspecting that I had a problem (snoring is one symptom, but it's far from a definitive diagnosis) and then completing a "sleep study" where the local sleep clinic gave me a box of electronics to strap to my chest (that senses what position I'm in and how much movement, and also includes a pulse-oximeter and a tube that goes near my nose to sense breating (or lack thereof)).
When the results were analysed I had an AHI of 72 (or in English, my brain was partly waking me up 72 times per HOUR due to not breathing). Obviously not a good thing.
They sold me a machine (Resmed AutoSet Spirit S8) (which is still going well for me after 10 years) and the process of getting used to it began.
In short, the way they work is by keeping a positive pressure in your mouth and/or nose - bit like riding the PCX without a helmet and opening your mouth at full speed - but without the chance of catching flies and bees! How you "hook up" to the machine is one of the key challenges though; some people feel a bit claustrophobic and some people don't like things on their face - luckily for me as an (ex) SCUBA diving instructor trainer I'm 100% comfortable with masks and breathing devices, but the sleep clinic wasn't convinced so they started me off with what's called a nasal mask (only covers the nose) ... unfortunately the nose is connected to the mouth at the back of the throat and if you put a pressure in the nose it leaks out the mouth unless you can keep your mouth shut when asleep. Didn't work for me - the pressure differential was uncomfortable. So they put me on a combination mask that went over my mouth, but had a couple of extensions that my nostrils were supposed to seal against ... most ridiculous f-ing contraption ever devised. At some point they tried me on a mouth only mask (driest mouth I'd EVER had!) ... before FINALLY letting me try a full face mask ("FFM") - instant success ... just like I told them weeks before ... (*sigh*).
So for me, the FFM was ideal - and over the years Resmed have developed a few different models which I've tried - some I liked and stuck with, some I didn't. I did develop quite a few tricks over the years though - these days I put the actual CPAP unit right under the bed where it can't be heard - there is a quiet sound that's made as the air flows through the mask exhaust though - I'd describe it as being similar to the noise the air conditioning fan in your car makes on the lowest speed. Some masks & hoses are much quieter than others, but I won't bore you with any details unless you ask. Personally, I run the hose up towards the top of my head - under the head strap - then down the back of the bed to the machine so I can sleep in any position and not have to worry about getting tangled up in the hose. As a side sleeper I found that a buckwheat pillow worked best in that it supports my head comfortably, but doesn't try to push the mask to the side.
In terms of results - yeah - snoring is stopped dead in it's tracks - and my AHI dropped right down to only a few per night (and I think most of those were false positives).
So yeah - hope all this helps. Happy to answer any questions. If you do get a machine, I can't recommend the latest Resmed models highly enough - general opinion is that they're the "ducks nuts" in terms of quality and smarts - blows the F&P out of the water - and has extensive range of masks. Not cheap though, but considering the number of hours it'll be looking after you, not something I'd suggest skimping on. End of the day they're either something people take to or they don't. I LOVE mine - means I can bury myself under a pillow or under the sheets and still have an endless supply of fresh air. They do have a humidifier option, but I like fresh cool air, not warm moist air, so I don't use a humidifier. My doctor said "I can't think of anything worse than sleeping with a mask on" ... short answer to that is "Doh - you don't know you're wearing it when you're asleep!" Personally I sleep really really well using it ... but in all fairness, I also know people who just struggle to get used to them - in my opinion, attitude and techniques make about 100% of the difference.
PS: A "full face" mask doesn't actually cover the entire face like, say, a fire fighters mask would - it only covers mouth and nose - not the eyes.
that works! Be kind now, and let her in on your secret 
